Orange County NC Website
3 <br />e. OCS Staff/Program/Facility initiatives with potential future budgetary impacts <br />John Link said that it is important to know what is happening that may have a budgetary <br />impact. If they have information ahead of time they can make better decisions at budget time. <br />Commissioner Gordon asked if it is possible to move up the time that the school board <br />presents their budget. She asked if they could move their schedule up by two weeks. She explained that <br />since the schools budget is such a large portion of the County's budget that everything else depends on this <br />information. <br />Randy Bridges said that two issues that may have a budgetary impact would be an increase in <br />their local supplement and the implementation of an alternative school. They are also talking about providing <br />transportation for their year round school. <br />School Board member Rick Kennedy feels that reducing class size is an issue that needs to <br />be addressed. Upgrading their sport facilities and offering band and foreign language in elementary schools <br />is important. He feels that there needs to be an effort to identify and help with literacy and that they need to <br />do more before the children get to school and that it should not be the sole responsibility of the school <br />system. <br />Regarding reducing class size, Superintendent Bridges said that they cannot reduce class size <br />because classroom space is not available. Maybe, the following year when the new elementary school is <br />opened, it may be possible to reduce class size. <br />2. JOINT PLANNING AGREEMENT _ PROVISIONS FOR TEMPORARY DEVELOPMENT <br />MORATORIUM <br />John Link said that the Carrboro Board of Alderman is holding a public hearing this Tuesday <br />to consider continuing the moratorium for Carrboro's small area plan. Under the present rules, unless the <br />County Commissioners object to this continuation, it would be approved. <br />Geoffrey Gledhill said that during the public hearing held in April, an amendment to the Joint <br />Planning Area Agreement was presented for comments. This amendment indicates that if the Towns want a <br />moratorium, they have a public hearing and present their request to the Orange County Board of <br />Commissioners for their approval. The Board of County Commissioners makes the final decision. The <br />second moratorium for Carrboro's small area plan ends tonight. <br />In answer to a question from Commissioner Gordon, Geof Gledhill said that if Carrboro <br />attends our meeting on October 6 and tells us what comments were received, the Board of County <br />Commissioners does not need to act on their recommendation. The moratorium does not go into effect until <br />the County Commissioners approve it after Carrboro has the public hearing. <br />. A motion was made by Commissioner Crowther, seconded by Commissioner Halkiotis to <br />approve the proposed amendment to the Joint Planning Agreement that would preserve the status quo <br />pending the consideration of a land use ordinance amendment designed to address exigent circumstances or <br />the results of a study. It would allow for adoption of a moratorium of no more than six months that could be <br />extended one time for an additional six months. The amendment was approved by the Carrboro Board of <br />Aldermen on May 26, 1998 and by the Chapel Hill Town Council on June 8, 1998. <br />VOTE: UNANIMOUS <br />It was decided that a member of our planning staff will attend the public hearing and report <br />back to the Board of County Commissioners next Tuesday evening. <br />3. CLOSED SESSION <br />